Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax (ZTT)

The sound of leather boys at pleasure, Frankie's debut single takes the boystown style out of safe hands and into a hard and dangerous night. Despite the title, the boys huff and puff like crazy, making their particular disco sound like a factory. A dark and dubious record that pumps up more steam than a posse of pistons. Let it whip, Frankie. (Mark Cooper, No 1, November 5, 1983)

Naughty lyrics that will shock the powers that be at BBC. Which is a shame as this Trevor Horn-produced powerhouse dance record screams out to be heard. In the sterile, germ free world of disco this is one contagious disease which should be caught. (Mark Steels, Smash Hits, November 10, 1983)

The The - Heartland (CBS)

The The have been around for a few years now, but unfortunately they're one of those bands who deserve more than they've ever had but will probably never get it. It's a shame that Radio One have banned this for including the word 'piss', we could have seen them on Top Of the Pops in a few weeks' time. 4/5 (Mark Booker, No 1, August 2, 1986)

Well, well. Second time around for former cult figure Matt Johnson (as The The is known to his mum). I always used to find his stuff a bit cold and mechanical, but this stunning, stringy, singalong state-of-the-nation ballad is something else again. What a terrible mess we are in, he seems to be saying, and of course he's right. This year's "Ghost Town" and Single Of The Fortnight. (Dave Rimmer, Smash Hits, July 30, 1986)